Time to protect citizens

This letter is in response to the guest editorials of Snohomish County Council members Barbara Cothern and Gary Nelson, which both appeared in the Dec. 2 Herald. I have spent many hours as a citizen writing and delivering testimony to the county council on numerous land use issues. It’s not easy. One must not only find the time to truly understand the issue, but also have enough flexibility to attend hearings and enough guts to get up and speak your mind. But, it’s worth it if the council listens.

From my experience, it is Barbara Cothern who listens most to the voice of citizens who are unencumbered with special interests. Gary Nelson seems to listen most to the needs of the development community. But I have seen some positive changes in the county over the last year or so. More and more Snohomish County residents are getting involved because they are angry and affected by the mistakes that have been made. Taxpayers are realizing that growth costs money, and that they are constantly being asked to subsidize growth with less and less benefits.

If Ms. Cothern and Mr. Nelson really believe that public participation is important, then it is time they not only listen to what has been said repeatedly to them by the residents of Snohomish County, but also to do something about it. Now is the time to raise mitigation fees for new development to help pay for needed roads, parks, drainage and schools. Now is the time to adopt interim building moratoriums in our urban growth areas until subarea planning is completed. Now is the time to question and overturn hearing examiner decisions that approve developments which are just plain bad and illegal. Now is the time for the development community to abandon slapping damage suits on citizens and the county when their development plan is rejected. This ends up costing all of us money and time, which can be better spent on finding and implementing real solutions.

And now is the time for all of us to get involved with the land use planning process and help the county council make the right decisions.

County Issues Chair

Pilchuck Audubon Society

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

Schwab: If you’re OK with foreign aid cuts, guess who’s next

At some point, if they haven’t already, Trump’s and Musk’s cuts will hit all but a very elite few.

Poor planning behind Snohomish PUD rate increase

It did not take long in 2025 for the Snohomish Public Utility… Continue reading

Trump’s aid cut will cost U.S. influence

The last time the U.S. pulled back its aid to other countries,… Continue reading

Musk’s financial access is a threat to personal data, payments

Recently Elon Musk along with six young men between 19-24 were able… Continue reading

Comment: Birthright citizenship has helped make America great

Trump’s attempt to end it, almost certainly unconstitutional, won’t fix the nation’s problems at its borders.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 13

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

State single-payer health care bill offers many advantages

I was excited to read in Will Geschke’s report (“Everett lawmakers back… Continue reading

Important national story missing from Herald

I couldn’t find a report in The Herald that the Trump administration… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s ‘Man-of-Steel’ shtick will make U.S. weaker

Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum will harm allies we need and won’t help industries here.

Comment: AG Bondi’s DEI memo more messaging than lawsuit threat

Talk of criminal investigations is intended to panic corporations into abandoning their DEI programs.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.